Regional Opinions

Published: Saturday, November 17, 2007

Fighting over 'waterboarding'

The political fight over interrogation methods (such as "waterboarding'') needs to be fought between the president and members of Congress who oppose these forms of "torture," and not waged in confirmation hearings. ... Let Congress and the president - who, by the way, determines policy and the direction of the attorney general's office - duke it out over the legality of "waterboarding." The attorney general should adhere to whatever side prevails in the political process.

Amarillo

Globe-News

Huge demand on oil supply

The current daily supply of oil can barely cover world demand. With China and India rapidly industrializing, the International Energy Agency expects that the planet will require 116 million barrels daily by 2030 an increase of more than 50 percent from today's output to slake its petroleum thirst. ... Whether the world supply of oil has absolutely peaked or is not rising to meet demand because of human folly, there's going to be a lot less of the black stuff around in the near future. And that's going to hurt.

The Dallas

Morning News

Property's fate hangs in balance

There are encouraging developments in the controversy over the fate of the pristine Christmas Mountains property in far West Texas. ... The donation was made based on a written agreement that the only allowable transfer of ownership would be "to either the National Park Service or the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department." Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, put the 9,269-acre property up for sale to private bidders, claiming the 1991 promise isn't legally binding. But after widespread public outcry, Patterson agreed to give the National Park Service 90 days to evaluate the property and make an offer for it.

Fort Worth

Star-Telegram

Fighting disease with bed nets

Some places just aren't meant to be inhabited, so stifled are they by natural impediments like tropical diseases. That was the perception of Houston in the beginning of the last century, and malaria, which ran rampant, was a pressing reason why. DDT, water management and medication changed that. Now local sponsors of a global anti-malaria campaign insist that the same transformation can happen in Africa.

City government is helping to coordinate the local campaign, Nothing But Nets, a superlean nonprofit that delivers lifesaving bed nets to families in malaria-prone countries.